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Wednesday’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting on space-related activities from around the world. Experts see signs that a U.S. commercial spaceflight industry is gathering momentum. In Florida, state leaders discuss how they can do more support the growth of the aerospace industry in the aftermath of the shuttle program’s retirement. Florida state officials discuss strategies to strengthen the role of the Kennedy Space Center as a launch site for commercial as well as government spacecraft. Safety panels assess NASA fostered efforts to begin commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station. Russia looks to an extension of space station activities through 2028. The German Space Agency narrows re-entry predictions for the ROSAT satellite to Oct. 21-25. The Florida Space Institute gets a new director. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory marks an anniversary. Looking for extraterrestrial intelligence. NASA names new flight directors.
1. From Space.com: Off to a slower start than initially envisioned, commercial human spaceflight is gathering momentum, the website reports. Experts say the industry is following a course familiar to aerospace — a pace that must adjust to safety concerns and changing business models. “I’m very bullish on the market. We’re seeing a lot of activity,” George Nield, associate administrator for commercial space transportation at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration,” tells Space.com “We’re also seeing a real maturity in the industry itself.” The report coincides with seventh annual International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight, a gathering of industry leaders in Las Cruces, N. M. this week.
http://bit.ly/qFMgB1
A. From Space.com: Boeing’s CST-100 entrant in the NASA sponsored commercial space transportation development effort undergoes wind tunnel tests at NASA’s Ames Research Center.
http://bit.ly/qYBHUh
2. From the Orlando Sentinel: A key state officials calls on Florida legislative leaders to take new measures to protect the Kennedy Space Center’s role in the launch of NASA, military and commercial spacecraft. Adam Putnam, the state agriculture commissioner, suggests the involvement of a non-NASA authority that could sponsor new development on land now designated as a wildlife refuge.
http://thesent.nl/q1uamM
A. From Florida Today: Florida Governor Rick Scott envisions a bright future for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, following a meeting between state officials and aerospace industry representatives. But business leaders said the state could do more in the post shuttle era to help by providing steady funding over time, making Cape Canaveral more business-friendly and fighting for the state’s interests in Washington.
http://bit.ly/ro8mh8
3. From Spacepolicyonline.com: The website offers a look at the external review process for NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program contractors, SpaceX and Orbital Sciences. Both companies anticipate cargo demonstration missions soon and cargo deliveries to the International Space Station next year. Members of NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel and ISS Advisory Committee note the effort appears very success oriented.
http://bit.ly/pE9Aro
4. From Itar-Tass, of Russia: Appearing before the Space Forum 2011, the lead for Russia’s human space programs outlines future operations of the International Space Station through 2028.
http://bit.ly/qQvRbF
A. From Itar-Tass of Russia: At a meeting of the Space Forum 2011, a Russian space officials says the discovery of natural caves on the moon could provide shelter for future human explorers. The cave like structures may be he result of past volcanic activity, says Sergei Krikalev, the director of Russian cosmonaut training.
http://bit.ly/q8rnTo
5. From Spacepolicyonline.com: The German Space Agency, DLR, narrows the time frame for the re-entry of the Rosat satellite re-entry to Oct. 21-25. Launched in 1990, Rosat will make an uncontrolled re-entry.
http://bit.ly/mQvj56
6. From the Orlando Sentinel: Alan Stern, NASA former science chief, is named director of the Florida Space Institute at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The institute is affiliated with the University of Central Florida.
http://thesent.nl/nj6i2q
7. From the Los Angeles Times: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory marks the 75th anniversary of the Cal Tech student rocket launch that led to the establishment of the research lab. The Oct. 31, 1936 experiment nurtured the birth of U. S. rocket science, the Times reports.
http://lat.ms/osXXR3
8. From National Public Radio: There is life on Earth. Does that mean it arose elsewhere? The answer is quite unclear.
http://bit.ly/pQHNnh
9. From the Houston Chronicle: NASA names three new flight directors to lead International Space Station activities.
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